Always here; Always near

ALWAYS HERE; ALWAYS NEAR

Psalm 121

Verses 7-8: “The Lord will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life, the Lord will watch your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

Six year old Colleen held her little brother Sean’s hand. They were clothes shopping. Mom stopped browsing and gathered several articles onto her arm. “Stay right here,” mom said. “I’m going to try these on in the dressing room.”

“Sure,” Colleen said. Just then, Sean broke away. He ran into a slack’s rack. Colleen watched him disappear inside. She giggled watching the slacks twirl around on the rack. Suddenly Sean ran to a different slacks rack, and disappeared inside it. Colleen smiled, remembering the fun of hiding.

“Colleen!” Sean yelled. “You’re lost!”

Rolling her eyes, Colleen went to that slacks rack. She parted slacks, exposing Sean. He looked up, tears streaming down his face. “Where were you?”

“I was right here.” Colleen assured him. “I saw you hide. I always knew where you were.”

“Oh,” Sean smiffed.

Colleen reminds us that our heavenly Father always keeps His eyes on us. But, we can get scared when losing our bearings. We feel helpless and alone. This feeling overwhelms us. Frightened, we want to be found. It’s times like these when believers wonder where God is. God never left. We left Him. He’s right here. God is always near.

It would be ideal if people would never lose spiritual sight of God’s watching us. But when trouble stares us down, we seem unable to peel our eyes away from it. Because trouble always threatens, it feels closer than God. But nothing is further from the truth. God wants to keep our attention on Him. But trouble dares us to concentrate only on it.

Take a moment to remember God. God is right here; He’s always near.

Here’s a way that we can remain sensitive to God’s presence, His nearness. Consider nature. God made birds and trees, mountains and rivers for us to enjoy. Consider pets that God made to love and cheer us. Consider family and friends, who claim us as their own. So when trouble gets in our face, let’s turn to God first.

Remember, God doesn’t leave us. We leave Him!

Take Home Nugget

The Holy Spirit is eager to sharpen spiritual eyesight, so that we think about God. His presence penetrates our world, if we only remember to pay attention. The best time to practice feeling God’s presence is when life is “normal.” Then crisis situations can signal our running towards God instead of running away.

Children cry out when alone and scared.
God is not far; God is right here.
Trouble loves to catch us unprepared.
Let’s remember God’s not far, He’s always near!

J.D. Griffith



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